Program Benefits
Career Advancement
The program is designed to help participants become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers who can move their
organization forward by anticipating and responding to change. Graduates will be well prepared to become agents for
change at many levels within an organization.
Innovative Degree/Real-World Curriculum
The Workforce Development Advocate is a one-of-a-kind degree offered at Sacramento State. The challenges for our
future workforce are real. Organizations must be prepared and forward-thinking at all levels to ensure business continuity
and growth in uncertain times. Program courses are structured to engage participants in theory and real-world learning
opportunities, including a final project that applies the knowledge and principles needed to become an effective workforce
development advocate. This program teaches the fundamentals necessary for being proactive, promoting organizational
growth at many levels, and incorporating employee foresight and insight to promote solid workforces.
Cohort-Based Learning
Students enroll in the program as
a cohort. The cohort system
provides the framework and
network needed to complete
graduate-level studies within
a specified time frame.
Students learn together,
share their experiences,
and develop long-term
professional relationships.
Career Opportunities
A master’s degree in
Workforce Development
Advocacy can open doors to
a variety of career opportunities
including but not limited to:
- Consultant or policy researcher at city, state
or national levels on issues of workforce development
- Human resources manager
- Corporate planner
- Community college workforce development director
- Global consultant on workforce development
- Lobbyist at the state or national level
- Key administrator or member of chambers
of commerce, workforce investment,
economic development, and state or county
personnel boards
Program Overview
Throughout history, organizations have either succeeded
or failed based on their ability to predict, recognize,
adapt and respond to change. Those that succeeded
shared a common thread-each had visionary employees
who were able to look to the future and anticipate the
needs, challenges and demands of both their changing
workplace and changing workforce.
A major shift in how we view our current and future
workforce is occurring. According to the U.S. Labor
Department, employees in the 21st century will average
seven different careers throughout their lifetime. This
anticipated workforce dynamic requires employees to not only adapt to change within their industry, but also to lead it.
Simply put, organizations need employees at all levels to
become change-agents who can anticipate, adapt, and
effectively respond to changes in their work landscape.
This includes the areas of training planning, emergency
disaster preparedness, safety and security preparedness,
and rapidly changing demographics.
The Masters in Education Workforce Development
Advocacy Option propels employees into the future
by preparing them to become effective critical thinkers,
problem solvers and organizational influentials.
Program Goals
This program has been developed in response to today’s
evolving work environments and diverse society. Our
program goals are to:
- Increase the number of workforce professionals who
are able to address the workplace challenges of the
21st century.
- Prepare workforce professionals to think critically
using analysis and assessment as workplace tools.
- Advance the effectiveness of a work setting, one
workforce development advocate at a time.
- Prepare workforce professionals to effectively use
strategies to build collaborative work teams.
Program Audience
This program is ideal for professionals who are looking to
obtain an advanced degree in a field that has tremendous
effect on workforce futures, including bachelor of
vocational education graduates and those actively
engaged in the changing structures of employment fields.
As the workforce changes, graduates of this program
will be able to accurately prepare their organizations
and colleagues to remain successful in their industry.
Professionals in human resources, management, computer
technology, training, administrative and vocational
employment are ideally suitable for this program. Those
who are always looking toward future trends are strong
candidates to study workforce development. Individuals
considering continuing education or increasing their
career knowledge are also encouraged to apply.
Program Structure and Class Schedule
This intensive weekend-based graduate program is
created for working professionals. Courses are offered
Friday evenings and Saturdays. In order to address
individuals work and life requirements, the program is
designed to allow coursework completion within two
years. The program consists of four semesters comprised
of three courses each, with the exception of the final
semester that is allocated to completion of the master’s
project.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student requires:
- Bachelor degree
- Minimum 3.0 overall GPA
Applicants who have deficiencies in admission
requirements that can be removed by specified additional
preparation may be admitted as conditionally classified
graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a
written response to the student’s admission application.
Admission Procedures
All applicants must file the following:
- A graduate and departmental application for admission
- One set of official transcripts from all colleges and
universities attended
- A written statement of professional goals
(300-500 words)
- Two current letters of professional reference
Formal application should be made through the College
of Continuing Education at Sacramento State. Applicants
must demonstrate successful completion of a bachelor’s
degree as well as complete the graduate applications.
Program Prerequisite Courses
EDS 103: Assessment and Instruction in Vocational/
Technical/Adult/Applied Academics Education
EDS 104: Teaching Diverse Learners in Vocational/
Technical/Adult Education
EDS 106: Instructional Supervision & Coordination I.
Applicants must demonstrate writing proficiency by
completing the Writing Proficiency Exam, if not already
completed.
Application Deadline
The cohort application deadline is December 1. To ensure
full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit
their completed application packets by October 31.
Mail completed application packets to:
California State University, Sacramento
College of Continuing Education
Attn: WDA Program
3000 State University Drive East
Sacramento, CA 95819-6103
Advancement to Candidacy
Students working toward a master’s degree must file an
application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a
proposed program of study. This procedure should begin
as soon as the classified graduate has:
- Been assigned an advisor by the department chair
- Removed any deficiencies in admission requirements
- Completed at least 12 units in the graduate program
with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including course work at the
200-level
- Passed the Writing Proficiency Examination or secured
approval for a WPE exam waiver
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for this program. Prospective
students can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Graduate Core Requirements (9 units)
EDS 250: Research in Education
Studies qualitative
and quantitative methods in the development of reliable
knowledge in the field of education. Includes identification
and formulation of research problems, research designs and
presentation of reports representative of different research
strategies.
3 units
EDS 251: Education in a Democratic and Pluralistic Society
Advanced study of social and psychological issues which
need to be considered in education relating to the client,
the educator, the community and society. Addresses
implications of theories of learning, assessment, individual
differences and social/political influences.
3 units
EDS 228 Seminar: Future of Workforce Development and
the Establishment & Maintenance of Quality Learning
Communities
This course explores workforce development
establishment and maintenance from current to future
perspectives through the analysis and evaluation of training
planning; emergency disaster preparedness; safety and
security preparedness; implications of rapidly changing
demographics and other elements.
3 units
Culminating Requirement (6 units)
EDS 530: Project in Workforce Development Advocacy I
Working in a cohort group with a program advisor,
students identify, develop, and research a project that is
responsive to a recognized need that will have immediate
impact on workforce development in a selected setting.
The culminating project is developed over a two-semester
period. Part I - focuses on the identification of the agency
to be served and the clarification of the product to be
developed.
2 units
EDS 531: Project in Workforce Development Advocacy II
Working in a cohort group with a program advisor,
students identify, develop, and research a project that is
responsive to a recognized need that will have immediate
impact on workforce development in a selected setting.
The culminating project is developed over a two-semester
period. Part II - develops, refines, and presents the product
identified in EDS 530.
4 units
Program Concentration Requirements (15 units)
EDS 222: Perspectives of Workforce Development
Overview of Implications for Communities of Vocational,
Technical, and Adult Learners: Examines the premises of
workforce development and advocacy with emphasis on
adult learning styles and learning communities. Explores
the specific needs of the formal and informal vocational,
technical and adult learning community in an ever-changing
work environment.
3 units
EDS 223: The Organization of the Vocational, Technical,
and Adult Learning Community
Examines foundations
of learning communities through analysis of components
of successful communities. Explores the use of needs
assessments and projected outcomes to develop model
learning communities for adults.
3 units
EDS 224: Workforce Assessment and Accountability
Establishing and Measuring Appropriate and Reasonable
Outcomes
Course explores workforce assessment and
accountability. Emphasis is on the selection and use of
qualitative and quantitative tools that are most appropriate
for adult learning communities along with interpreting
and reporting findings.
3 units
EDS 226: Resource Management and Enhancement for
the Workforce Development Advocate
Course covers
resource development including means of identifying and
obtaining resources as well as fundraising in support of
workforce development. Also addresses issues of program sustainability.
3 units
EDS 227: Issues Impacting Workforce Development
Advocates
Explores the leadership issues and challenges
affecting Workforce Development Advocates. Explores
models of workforce advocate leadership in workforce
development, including aspects that impact effective
decision making, including legislation, changing policies
and practices and ever-changing demographics.
3 units
Contact Information
For program information, contact (916) 278-4711
or wda@csus.edu.
